Bersatu is holding firm to its position that the Perikatan Nasional chairman should be the president of a coalition component party.
Dismissal of PAS claim
Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz dismissed PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man’s assertion that Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin had agreed to let the Islamic party assume the PN leadership.
“Based on my checks, Bersatu’s stand which was decided at our Supreme Council meeting on Jan 12 remains, namely that we will only accept a party president as the PN chairman,” he told FMT.
He added that the outcome of earlier discussions between Muhyiddin and the heads of the other three PN components is still under consideration.
Recent meetings highlighted
Tun Faisal referred to Muhyiddin’s January 16 meeting with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.
He also mentioned last week’s “pre-council” meeting with the presidents of Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party.
Abdul Hadi had skipped that gathering, reportedly due to a last-minute change in schedule.
Earlier today, Tuan Ibrahim claimed Muhyiddin had given a positive, unconditional response to PAS leading PN.
Tuan Ibrahim said PAS had refrained from announcing the matter earlier out of respect for Muhyiddin, whose resignation as PN chairman effective January 1 awaits formal confirmation by the PN Supreme Council.
Vacancy and cancelled meeting
The PN chairman post has remained vacant since January 1.
The coalition’s Supreme Council had been scheduled to meet on January 29 to confirm Muhyiddin’s resignation and name his successor.
However, the meeting was cancelled after Muhyiddin invited the presidents of PAS, Gerakan and MIPP to his home for the informal “pre-council” discussion instead.
Gerakan and MIPP are reportedly opposed to PAS leading the coalition, citing concerns over its hardline image.
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